Hi all, brand new here, I thought I'd add my scaredy dog story to this thread... I have a 9-month-old cockapoo, he's been fine until a couple days ago when he must've got scared by the fact my neighbour started a very loud machine that made the furnace rattle... now he won't cross the section of the hallway he was in when this happened. He's obviously very scared, although he never had this problem before and was pretty happy with all the areas in the house. Nothing changed in terms of furniture or any other stuff around. For 2 days now, he simply refuses to go through this section of hallway and I tried everything, even high-value snacks to make him see there is nothing wrong there. To no avail. I am really wondering what could have made him so afraid and why this particular section of hallway. He got startled before, but never had this reaction to anything, and there have been some loud noises around him.

Anyone who could help, please do. Poor puppy, he's shaking all when he even approaches this section of the hallway. Problem is, his food and water are both in the bathroom and in order to get there from the living room or kitchen he'd have to go through this hallway, there is no other way around.

Many thanks in advance.

Melinda

June 14th, 2011, 07:10 AM

try changing the looks of that part of the hallway, maybe a scattermat? then just put him on his leash and walk him across it a few times, don't hesitate when you get to that spot, just continue walking as if it wasn't even there. once you've gone completely by it, sit your dog, praise/treat him and turn around and do it again till you feel no resistance at all

papasierra

June 15th, 2011, 06:05 PM

Thanks Melinda, I'll give that a go and see where we get. My dog can really be stubborn sometimes... if he's got it in his head it will be a real challenge to try and get that idea out... but I'll give it a whirl.

Cheers.

Melinda

June 16th, 2011, 06:01 AM

let me go how it goes, my 14 yr old beagle was scared of our livingroom flooring when her sight started going, we put down scatter matts and did the leash bit for a couple days, then there was no problem.

marko

June 16th, 2011, 08:08 AM

Good suggestion Melinda and that might just work.

If it does not you can try slowly desensitizing the dog using the same principals as in this tip http://www.pets.ca/dogs/tips/tip-73-dog-afraid-of-thunder-fireworks-and-loud-noises/

Hope that might help and welcome to the forum.

papasierra

June 21st, 2011, 08:50 PM

It worked! Thanks everyone. Now, with the mat in place, he's not afraid anymore. Of course, it took a bit of getting used to this novelty, but it went smoothly and he's OK. Guess what? I tried taking the mat away after a few days, just to see how he'd react. Interestingly, it seemed that his fear came back. So naturally, I put the mat back in place. I suppose just a few days did not suffice. He seems pretty happy with the mat, if anything, it makes him more stable on a slippery surface like the laminate hallway. I was also thinking that he may have wanted to run through and slipped, getting really scared; you know, like when you're walking on a really narrow path, with a mountain on one side and an abyss on the other, if you slip you really get a jolt...

So thanks for your suggestions and cheers...

hazelrunpack

June 21st, 2011, 10:16 PM

He may still get to the point where he won't need the mat, papasierra. Many dogs go through an 'angst' phase from about 6 - 9 months, where they get anxious about things that have not bothered them in the past and may not bother them in the future. Let it go a few weeks, then try removing the mat again. You may find that he's gotten over that particular phase of development and won't need the rug anymore. :fingerscr

In the meanwhile, I don't suppose you have a few pics of your boy to share with us, do you? :D

Melinda

June 22nd, 2011, 04:14 AM

yippee, I'm glad it worked!!!

Dog Dancer

June 23rd, 2011, 03:45 PM

Glad the mats worked for your pup. We have the same issue with one of our dogs, only her fear of the floor only started when she was older. I am fairly certain she tried to run on the floor and slipped and now will only enter the bedroom with scatter matts on the floor. It's where we all sleep so she has to come in eventually. I think alot of these fears are born from a slip or something scary like you suggested. Halo won't walk on the bedroom floor, but the slippery kitchen floor promises food so that one is okay!

papasierra

June 26th, 2011, 05:08 PM

Sure I have pictures... hahaha... check out the attached.

Thanks again everyone. The next thing to try will be removing the mat in (I'd say) about 4-5 weeks...